Monday, March 31, 2008

Discipline by Elisabeth Elliot - I always enjoy books by Elisabeth Elliot, and this one was wonderful! Thanks to Elijah for recommending it to me and letting me borrow it! It's a book everyone should read. It's not a "feel good" book - it really challenges you to be disciplined - but it shows how discipline can be "the glad surrender". It honestly deals with discipline in 7 areas of life that you might not otherwise think of, fearlessly going against the popular teaching of today that things must be "comfortable".

When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy - This was probably my 4th time reading this book, yet as always, it encouraged and challenged me in new ways. Periodically I just need another reminder to stay strong, and this book again helped me press on. Written by both Eric and Leslie Ludy, it's great to get both sides of the picture; it shows how differently men and women sometimes think. It's also very entertaining - they write in a fun, yet honest way. The subject material is very honest in the ways purity has declined among youth today, and for a "sheltered homeschooler" such as me, it can be very shocking. So, it may be wise for your parents to read it first.

Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand - Written in 1967, this book was a sobering reminder to wake up to the fact that so many Christians are being persecuted and martyred in other countries. This book focused on the Underground Church behind the Iron Curtain in Romania, but the animosity is still very much alive in many other countries. We truly need to pray and consider how we can help our persecuted brothers in other places.

Eye of the Oracle by Bryan Davis - In contrast to the last book I read, this 600 page book only took me only 2 days to read! Most of the reason was that I was sick and thus had time to read a lot of the day, but this book is definitely one that's hard to put down! I enjoyed Bryan Davis' "Dragons in Our Mist" series, and this prequel was intriguing to read. He writes of characters that learn to look to God for strength, while the plot contains exciting twists and turns.

Daniel Deronda by George Eliot - Miriam loaned me this book, and it's taken me a month to finally finish it! It's not that I didn't read much (I read at least a chapter a day and more if I could) but with 700 pages it takes a while to finish! Plus, it requires longer reading because, being a classic, you can't just read through it quickly! I enjoyed the book, learning more about old English customs and the outlook of life in 1878 (the time the book was published). I was amazed at how well the author knew other authors and quoted from them - clearly classical reading was done more in years past. I also enjoyed the Jewish characters in the book and their customs and life in England. However, I was saddened that the Christian hero ended up marrying a Jewess while maintaining his Christianity - no qualms were given about being unequally yoked in faith. It made more sense after I read the introduction, it turning out that Marian Evans (real name of George Eliot) had become disillusioned with Christianity and maintained that Jesus was only a great teacher, not divine. Her life in the biography was very sad! So, I enjoyed the classic aspect of the literature, but the overall story didn't turn out to be the most encouraging!

The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare - After enjoying writing and directing musicals last year, I have been studying different aspects of drama this year in home education, reading a textbook on Dramatic Literature then one called The Fundamentals of Play Directing. Having finished those, I decided to read some works of Shakespeare, so that I am familiar with what so many consider great theater. I must confess, I didn't really enjoy them all that much, and don't really see why so many people consider then amazing. =) I could understand them pretty well (the definitions of weird words helped a lot) but a lot of it seemed kind of nonsensical. No offense to any of you lovers of Shakespeare! :-)

R.G. LeTourneau: Mover of Men and Mountains, an autobiography - I really enjoyed reading this inspiring story about this man's life of faith. Many times he fell on hard times, but he always trusted God and got back on his feet with His help. This man founded LeTourneau University, the college my brother attends, and built many of the big earth moving machines that really revolutionized the way roads were built and land cleared. His machines helped greatly in World War II and he also used them to help missionary work in other countries. He often said "The question is not how much of my money I give to God, but rather how much of God's money I keep for myself." Following this principal of faith, he eventually gave away 90% of his income to God's work. He was truly a "businessman for God."

When I Don't Desire God by John Piper - The follow-up to Desiring God, this book gave practical ways to fight for joy, even when you don't feel like it. It was convicting to read, as it called for us to follow God through trials and to wholeheartedly serve Him, drawing closer to Him through Bible reading and prayer. I enjoyed reading a chapter-a-day as part of my home education

Currently Reading:

By Far Euphrates by Deborah Alcock - A historical novel about the Armenia in the 19th century, I'm enjoying reading this book for "fun reading".

Jack by George Sayer - Having really enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia multiple times and other books by C.S. Lewis, I'm enjoying learning about the life of this great man.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare - I decided to give another Shakespearian drama a try. =)

Will start another theology book tomorrow!

Miriam's Books

Completed:

Pearl Maidenby H. Rider Haggard - I can't say how many times I've read this book now. It's been a favorite ever since Anna gave it to me. I have enjoyed every book by this author that I've read so far. He skillfully mingles interesting characters with history so as to make it a story that keeps you reading.

Moonfleetby J. M. Falkner - If you have any brothers, I would really recommend this for them if they don't have anything to read. Caleb received this for Christmas and really liked it (he is 15 yrs. old). A boy's adventure told very well from his point of view. Coming from a person who doesn't read first-person stories very well, it was very good.

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper - Even though I agreed with all this author had to say, it took me awhile to read this. Anna probably wondered if she was ever getting it back. =) I must say that after I finished it, I had a bigger desire to use my time wisely and not waste it by idleness or unimportant things.

The Friendly Dickensby Norrie Epstein - This was a wonderfully written book! It's about Charles Dickens and his books. She writes in-depth about each book that he wrote and the way she wrote made me want to read all of Charles Dicken's books. If you have to read up on Dickens or his books, I really do recommend this book. I will say on the side that it is not written by a Christian and would recommend that the parent(s) read it first.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens - After reading The Friendly Dickens, I wanted to read all of Dickens' books. I had already read Great Expectations, so I decided to start next with this one. I loved it! I read it faster than I had ever imagined I would read a Dickens book.

Currently Reading:

Aborted Womenby David Reardon - I'm still working on this one.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - I'm about halfway through this book and though the reading is a little harder than Oliver Twist, I'm enjoying it just as much.

9 comments:

Golly, you both had a lot of reading done! I will be doing mine so, and my list looks so small in comparison! And I think I read a lot! Anyway, I plan on giving Shakspeare a go (one of my after high school things.) I would love to read When God Writes Your Love Story....a good reminder and encouragement I would say!

Ella and Maria: Keep in mind that for me, a lot of my schoolwork is reading books. All but 3 of the books on my completed list were ones I read for home education. So, I actually have time to read the books and motivation to get them done, since they're part of my "school" right now.

I'm enjoying reading theology and biography books a little each day, however, so I hope to keep it up over the summer!

Miriam: I forgot to tell you - the Piper books did take me a while to read as well. I started one of them a year ago, just trying to read through it in my spare time, and didn't get very far. Taking them in small chunks (around 1 chapter a day) helped them really sink in, and I greatly enjoyed reading them!

I am a sister, since we are serving God together! I love your blog and I would like to suggest a E-Mag to you which is really encouraging to me. Leslie Ludy is an inspiration, and if you don't know her yet you are missing out!